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Liquid Phase Exfoliation of SnS Nanosheets in Water

ORAL

Abstract

Successful isolation of 2D materials beyond graphene, such as 2D tin monosulfide (SnS), opens a new horizon in material research because unlike graphene SnS is a semiconductor. The cost-effective and large-scale production of SnS nanosheets is a fundamentally important step to realize its applications. The exfoliation of nanosheets in a solution from their bulk counterpart using high-intensity ultrasound waves has proven to be an effective method. Here, we compare the liquid phase exfoliation of SnS nanosheets in isopropyl alcohol and water. We show nanosheets' yield in both solvents significantly increases if the bulk SnS is manually ground prior to the ultrasonication process. The optical measurements show the nanosheets produced are high in quality, whereas the atomic force microscopy measurements suggest SnS is exfoliated into individual layers. Furthermore, it is found that the yield of nanosheets in water is twice as compared to that in isopropyl alcohol. The efficient exfoliation of SnS in an environmentally friendly and low-boiling-point solvent like in water would be advantageous for applications.

Authors

  • Arjun Dahal

    Department of Physics, University of South Alabama

  • Robert Grzywacz

    Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, University of Virginia, California Institute of Technology, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, University and Student Affairs; Oak Ridge Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Physicist, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA, Center for Nuclear Study, University of Tokyo, Advanced Science Research Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Florida State University, Presidency University, Kolkata, INDIA, VECC,Kolkata, INDIA, SINP,Kolkata, INDIA, UGC-DAE CSR (Kolkata), INDIA, IFIN-HH, ELI-NP, Romania, Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre,Kolkata, INDIA, IEM, Kolkata, India, Victoria Institution (College), Kolkata, INDIA, Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, INDIA, NHMFL; Florida State University, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Physics Department, Florida State University, Mississippi State University, NHMFL-FSU, U. Colorado at Boulder, NHMFL, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Alabama School of Math and Science, University of South Alabama, University of Florida, University of Notre Dame, University of Texas at Dallas, Bob Jones University, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, The Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Clemson University, University of South Florida, Phenikaa University, University of Ulsan, Ohio University, University of Hawaii, University of California, Davis, University of California, Davis., Saleh Research Centre, Department of Physics, Florida State university, Tallahassee, FL32306, USA, WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK, Professor, facility manager, Student, Florida State University(Former), Hebrew University, Israel \& Ioffe Institute, St.\ Petersburg, Russia, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  • Robert Grzywacz

    Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, University of Virginia, California Institute of Technology, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, University and Student Affairs; Oak Ridge Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Physicist, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA, Center for Nuclear Study, University of Tokyo, Advanced Science Research Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Florida State University, Presidency University, Kolkata, INDIA, VECC,Kolkata, INDIA, SINP,Kolkata, INDIA, UGC-DAE CSR (Kolkata), INDIA, IFIN-HH, ELI-NP, Romania, Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre,Kolkata, INDIA, IEM, Kolkata, India, Victoria Institution (College), Kolkata, INDIA, Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, INDIA, NHMFL; Florida State University, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Florida State University, Physics Department, Florida State University, Mississippi State University, NHMFL-FSU, U. Colorado at Boulder, NHMFL, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Alabama School of Math and Science, University of South Alabama, University of Florida, University of Notre Dame, University of Texas at Dallas, Bob Jones University, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, The Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Clemson University, University of South Florida, Phenikaa University, University of Ulsan, Ohio University, University of Hawaii, University of California, Davis, University of California, Davis., Saleh Research Centre, Department of Physics, Florida State university, Tallahassee, FL32306, USA, WestCHEM, School of Chemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK, Professor, facility manager, Student, Florida State University(Former), Hebrew University, Israel \& Ioffe Institute, St.\ Petersburg, Russia, University of Tennessee, Knoxville